Below Replacement Frequency

[kaw550]

How often is everyone changing their belows? Is it every 3 years? I did all three at the end of '09 so they have been used for 3 seasons. I have a few other projetcs and really dont have the time to do it this season.

I keep the boat in the water for about 3 months a year. I know when I replaced them they looked fine.

 

[Don S]

Re: Below Replacement Frequency

5 years is what we always recommended to our customers. That was salt water use keeping the boat in the water all summer.

 

[dollarten]

Re: Below Replacement Frequency

Salt water is one thing , fresh water is another .I have seen 14o Mercrruisers run year after year times many with only an occasional oil change and a block drain at the end of the year . Up here in the great lakes region , exhaust manifolds will many times last the life of the boat . SO It depends where your location is on how long these components last We are also in the rust belt and cars have a certain life expectancy with all the corrosive ice melts that are used around here

 

[Don S]

Re: Below Replacement Frequency

I have seen 14o Mercrruisers run year after year times many with only an occasional oil change and a block drain at the end of the year .

I've seen the same thing around salt water, but it doesn't make it the "Thing to do".

I think he is trying to do "Preventive Maintenance" not see how long he can go before the bellows fail, then fix the mess.